AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Friday, August 1, 2003
REDISTRICTING TEXAS' CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS AND THE SENATE DEMOCRATS' BOYCOTT
Proud of one who stayed
I am very proud of my state Democratic senator. No, my senator from the district just south of Austin did not shirk his elected duty and skip off to New Mexico. He did the honorable thing and stayed to do the job that he was elected to do. Sen. Ken Armbrister stayed in Austin to do the state's business.
Like most Texans, especially rural Texans, I consider myself to be a conservative first, Republican or Democrat second, and I will support those who represent my conservative views. Doing one's job, no matter how tough it might be, may seem old-fashioned and conservative, but it still wins my vote. Thanks to Armbrister for honorably representing my district.
JON SUCH
Gonzales
Spreading cynicism
Thanks to his obsession with the redistricting, Gov. Rick Perry has succeeded in promoting widespread cynicism among the Texas electorate, and for good reason. Drawing congressional lines to ensure outcomes of elections is wrong. If one can't help but being results-driven, wouldn't it be better to seek competition rather than enthronement?
CHRIS BRAMMER
Austin
Juvenile actions
Doesn't what the 11 Texas Senate Democrats are doing seem juvenile? By hiding out in Albuquerque, N.M., to avoid a vote on congressional redistricting, these public servants are not "serving" the citizens of Texas.
They were voted into office to honestly debate the issues, not to run away when they think things aren't going their way. Understanding that there is some precedent here, it's ridiculous and something that should not be allowed.
Can the rest of us, when we don't like they way things are going, just take a month vacation? Heck no. This is just one more example of politicians acting as if they do not have to be responsible to their constituents.
All of us should remember this incident in the next election. These 11 senators should be held accountable for this immature and shameful tactic.
CASEY PHOENIX
Harker Heights
Democratic heroes
State Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, D-Austin, along with the other 10 senators who are boycotting the special session are my heroes for leaving the state to prevent Gov. Rick Perry's relentless pursuit of redistricting Texas, which would eliminate my Democratic representation in Washington.
I am astounded that the governor is determined to bully us into redistricting, even when the majority of Texans don't want it and never called for it. I have never seen a governor waste so much taxpayer money while grossly ignoring the real problems of the people of Texas.
I applaud Barrientos and the other Democrats who are in New Mexico with him.
SUSAN CHELF
Austin
Democrats who left
Once again, certain Democratic lawmakers have decided to leave Texas. I applaud them. I just wish they wouldn't come back.
I remember when I used to believe in the Democratic Party. I voted for and worked for Democratic candidates. Then, in the 1980s, the party left me by continually moving to the left.
Now the Democrats are acting like spoiled children who cannot have their way. I am only one of millions of Texans who did not leave the party, but as exemplified by the recent actions of the Democratic lawmakers, feel that the Democratic leadership left me.
Democratic "leaders" shouldn't be be fooled by the representation at the redistricting hearings. Those of us who want redistricting were busy making a living and tending to our families. But when the time comes, we will vote, just like we did in recent elections. Only, with redistricting complete, our votes will no longer be diluted by the past gerrymandering of failed Democratic leadership.
JOHN H. BOUWMAN
Fredericksburg
Restoring Texas pride
The recent heroics of our state Democratic senators in defeating U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's efforts to gerrymander this state have restored my pride in both Texas and the Democratic Party. Finally, we have a group of dedicated politicians who are willing to put their careers -- and in Sen. Eddie Lucio's case, their health -- on the line to defend Texans' rights.
It has become clear that Republicans will stop at nothing to destroy or discredit their opponents. Whether it's a recall election (California), preventing the counting of votes (Florida) or illegitimate redistricting measures (Colorado and Texas), they will use whatever weapon necessary. The option Democrats have today is to fight back just as hard.
JOSEPH BOGEN
Austin
Running away from work
Here we go again. More state legislators missing in action. I do not believe the state senators who fled to New Mexico were elected to conduct state business in this manner.
All of our senators and representatives should stand up for what they believe is right and represent the people who elected them by facing issues head-on, with intelligence, preparation and integrity. How much state money has been wasted because the legislators shut down the House or the Senate during this time of a state budget crunch.
I am thankful that our brave soldiers in the military do not fight their battles by running away.
JUDITH POWELL
Austin
Sad state in Texas
I think it's a sad state of affairs when we live in a state where the priority is on getting more seats for a political party, and ads are running asking people to donate money so children can have paper and pencils for school.
How many programs must suffer because of the arrogance of our elected officials? Is this government for the people?
PAT FORD
Austin
pattipie7@hotmail.com
Democrats out of touch
I am not a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or Independent. After much study, I vote for the best candidate. But I have to say something. The Democratic Party is out of control and out of touch.
In Texas, the Democrats have elected to run to other states rather than to perform the duties they were elected to do, paid to do and trusted to perform. They have embarrassed themselves and Texas.
When the Democrats were in power and gerrymandered the state, the Republicans stood and took it like responsible adults. Now that the power has shifted, based on the will of the people, the Democrats don't have the guts, integrity or maturity to accept it.
I say we, the people of Texas, should have the Democrats arrested and fined. They should forfeit their pay for a job not being performed. Or, a better idea would be to have a recall election replace the Democrats with responsible, mature adults.
JIM WRIGHT
Fort Worth
Won't pay for politics
I wonder: If the budget is as bad as we have been told, and there is no money to pay for programs to help people in need, then just who is paying for these two special sessions of the Legislature that were called solely for congressional redistricting to add Republican seats?
These sessions are not to look at the budget again, or anything else that really matters. Where's the money coming from? As a taxpayer, I call a halt to spending my money on redistricting. My money should not be used to finance these sessions. I think the Republican Party should pay for these two unnecessary special sessions.
BETTY A. BURRIS
Round Rock
baburris@yahoo.com
It's time to fire them
All state House and Senate Democrats in who participated in these "hold my breath until I turn blue" tantrums over the congressional redistricting issue should be removed from office for dereliction of duty.
We elected these men and women to fight for us in the Capitol, not from a hotel room in another state.
Gov. Rick Perry should have them all removed from office and call a special election undertaken to replace them.
We, as private citizens, cannot run and hide from our jobs, even on the days we don't like what we're told to do by our bosses. Our elected officials, who were "hired" by us, should be fired by us because they are obviously not up to the task of representing their constituents.
DAVID M. POFF
Paige
What's important?
Isn't school financing more important to the people of Texas than congressional redistricting?
RICK McMASTER
Austin